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ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 / Features

A look at how Canada, one of the Associates in Group A, fared in the 2011 World Cup

Siram Veera

March 23, 2011

Ashish Bagai and John Davison, who announced his retirement at the end of the tournament, celebrate Canada's victory over Kenya (c) Getty Images

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World Cup Performance

Canada viewed this World Cup as a major turning point in their cricketing journey. Self reliance appeared to be a mirage until this tournament, but according to board president Ranjit Sahni, sponsors are beginning to show up at their door. Plans are afoot to launch a five-team competition along the lines of the IPL in Canada, with the involvement of foreign players. They are striving to go beyond the handouts they get from the ICC and script their own destiny. Much depended on their young team stringing together a few good performances in this tournament and they have done that.

They gave a real scare to England in the warm-up game but were pinned down near the line by Stuart Broad. Realistically, their goal was to beat Kenya, the other Associate team in their group, and maybe also beat Zimbabwe. They achieved a five-wicket win over Kenya but were thumped by Zimbabwe. Where they really sparkled, albeit in phases, was against some of the Full Members. Apart from that warm-up encounter against England, they bowled out Pakistan for 184 and reached 104 for 3 before collapsing for 138. Against Australia, they raced to 82 for 1 in just 11 overs, courtesy of a dazzling knock from Hiral Patel, and reached 150 for 2 in the 29th over before the inevitable collapse.

Highs

A win is priceless and so the defeat of Kenya stands out. To make the Australian captain lose his rag – a frustrated Ricky Ponting threw down the ball in anger, ostensibly due to a team-mate, but Canada’s blitz would have contributed to his overall sombre mood – was another mini-highlight. But the two performances against Pakistan and England will be treasured. They came close to beating both and if not for Broad and the wily Shahid Afridi, they might even have done it.